Food, drink, tobacco

The Food and Drink sector plays a key role in providing safe, affordable, and quality food globally. It is also a major contributor to manufacturing output and employment, particularly in developing countries. Although working conditions have improved, significant challenges persist — including low labour productivity and skills, limited access to social protection and benefits, occupational safety and health risks, gender disparities, and the need to strengthen social dialogue. The sector faces future pressures such as changes in supply and demand, climate change, food price volatility and food security, which will impact employment trends and working conditions.

Employment in both tobacco manufacturing and cultivation has declined due to health concerns and policy changes, but the sector still provides livelihoods for many. There is a need for better alternatives for tobacco workers and to address important decent work deficits such as poor working conditions at the workplace, exposure to hazardous and dangerous work, long hours and low pay, as well as child labour.

The ILO takes a comprehensive approach to improve decent work in these industries through:

• Interventions across the food system (farm to fork)
• Technical support and policy guidance
• Research and evidence-based policymaking
• Knowledge sharing of best practices
• Promoting social dialogue.

Sectoral Policies (SECTOR)

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